NEW DELHI: The Indian government has granted permission to the Office of Registrar General of India to utilize Aadhaar authentication for birth and death registrations. According to reports from the media, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released a gazette notification authorizing the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner to carry out Aadhaar authentication for these registrations.
In April of this year, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) proposed amendments to the existing regulations in order to facilitate Aadhaar authentication by private companies. The objective behind this proposal is to enhance the convenience of residents and improve access to services.
As part of a draft amendment to the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance rules, MeitY stated that any non-government entity wishing to utilize Aadhaar authentication for promoting convenience, enabling better service access, ensuring good governance through digital platforms, preventing misuse of social welfare benefits, fostering innovation, and spreading knowledge must submit a proposal to the relevant Ministry or Department of the Central or State Government. The proposal should include a justification for how the authentication serves one of the aforementioned purposes and is in the interest of the State.
Currently, Government Ministries and Departments are permitted to carry out Aadhaar Authentication under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules of 2020. This permission is granted to ensure good governance, prevent misappropriation of public funds, and promote innovation and knowledge dissemination.
Meanwhile, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been actively encouraging residents to link their Aadhaar with their mobile numbers. This initiative aims to facilitate better and more effective communication when availing welfare services.
